Lost: "316" Review

We're not going to Guam, are we?

"We have to go back Kate!! We have to go back!" It's hard to believe season three's conclusion was almost two years ago. Finally, after all this buildup and time we get to see the Oceanic Six return to the island. So, why am I not as excited as I expected to be for such a monumental moment? Part of the reason is how hit or miss the off-island story has been this season; especially in comparison to the time traveling adventures taking place on the island. The other part is primarily due to just how long it has taken to get to this point. However, "316" still delivers a strong story of Jack's personal journey during the final hours before the Oceanic Six reunite to return to the island.

The primary strength of this episode comes from Jack Shephard's story as he is once again forced to play the reluctant leader. Throughout "316," Jack carries this look on his face of complete bewilderment, like he's walking through somebody else's dream. He's uncertain, frightened and now in a position that I'm not sure he ever expected to actually happen – they are returning to the island. If you go back to episodes over the course of the first four seasons, this was a man determined to get everyone off the island against all odds. It's strange seeing him here, determined to do just the opposite. Of course in the end, by doing this he is hoping to fulfill his promise to the rest of the survivors who were left behind. He's carrying an incredible burden and Matthew Fox does a great job of portraying Jack's turmoil and uncertainty.

John Locke's suicide letter was handled well as a physical representation of the burden bestowed upon Jack. No matter how he tried to avoid it, the letter came back to him until he finally decided to read it. This parallels Jack's reluctance to listen to John on the island and now, as the letter so blatantly represents, he can't escape destiny. John Locke obviously wishes that Jack had figured that out before he decided to leave.

Jack's meeting with his grandfather Ray was a particularly interesting scene. Ray relaying to Jack his need to leave and never be found spoke volumes and for a moment I almost suspected that Ray would somehow make it on the plane. It's best that he didn't though as I doubt Ray would be able to keep up with the rest of the survivors. The shoes were an obvious reference to Wizard of Oz and Jack's story about buying white sneakers for his father's corpse was quite poignant.

Click to watch two clips from ''316''

One of the more troubling moments from "316" has to be Kate showing up at Jack's home traumatized. This scene played out awkwardly and with little explanation as to what was really going on. Yes, she explicitly told Jack not to ask about Aaron but that mixed with what apparently was a night of sex doesn't sit well. One thing we've learned about Jack over the years is that he's about as stubborn as they come and I can't imagine that he'd simply allow the subject to sit. It's obvious however that Kate is highly traumatized in this scene and without knowing what happened to Aaron we don't have a clear understanding of her motives. Lost is all about building mystery but the truth behind what happened to Aaron (Did she give him to someone?) is something that needs to be revealed quickly, otherwise it just looks like an awkward loose end.

The surprise appearance of Frank Lapidus on the plane came as a shock but when you consider the strange coincidences that surrounded the original crash it is obvious that this was meant to be. You have to wonder if there really is a person (Jacob?) behind all these uncanny coincidences or if we can really chalk it up to destiny. The chances of Frank being on that plane are astronomical and the fact that he was supposed to be the pilot of Flight 815 just makes the situation all the more unusual. His appearance in this episode is absurd but after four and a half seasons of Lost it makes perfect sense.

The wait on Flight 316 was a little disturbing. Knowing that the fate of several innocent bystanders was unknown despite the attempt by Hurley to buy up as many tickets as possible. We knew that unless they managed to procure their own private jet, which was entirely possible, this would eventually be a problem that would have to be dealt with. It's going to be really interesting to find out what happened to the rest of the plane and those who were on it. Ben's unemotional "Who Cares" was disturbing and to be honest Jack is partly responsible for the fate of everyone on that flight.